Review – The Expert’s Guide to Driving a Man Wild by Jessica Clare

Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: January 7th
How I got this book: NetGalley

Grant and Brenna have been like oil and water ever since the Wilderness Survival Expeditions company opened up. Grant likes organization. Brenna thrives on chaos. Grant likes quiet. Brenna thrives on chaos. Grant likes clothes that match. Brenna thrives on chaos. But when Grant’s family shows up and begins to harass him about why he isn’t dating, Brenna decides to take matters into her own hands…
*Blurb from Goodreads*

I’ve found the Bluebonnet novels extremely enjoyable, but the one novella I read really didn’t work for me. I was a little hesitant going into this book, since the novella left such a bad taste in my mouth, however I’m so glad I decided to stick it out with Clare. I really enjoyed this book.

Brenna has been working as the office manager to the survival school ever since they opened. She gets along great with everyone except for Grant. Grant loves to antagonize her, tell her what to do, and generally drive her crazy. But Brenna gives as good and she gets, and driving Grant equally crazy is her forte. So agreeing to be his fake girlfriend is a little hasty, even for her. But Brenna finds she has a bit of a soft spot for Grant, especially when he’s under scrutiny from anyone other than her.

Grant is shocked when the wild and crazy Brenna announces to his family that they are dating. Sure, it’ll get his mother off his back, but Brenna drives him up the wall, despite her sexy body and big heart. But as their fake relationship progresses, Grant realizes that despite Brenna’s chaotic ways, he wants to make things between them real. But Brenna’s past finds ways to creep into the present and throw a wrench in their every plan.

I have to say, there is something about frenemy books that absolutely make me giddy. I love the push and pull, the high levels of sexual tension, and the fine line between having fun with each other, and at one another’s expense. I think that Clare does a wonderful job of walking that fine line, and making sure that Grant, Brenna, and the reader all know that their jokes and pranks and words are all in good fun.

Another thing I absolutely adore about this series is that Clare doesn’t hold back with the smut. Although this book isn’t nearly as erotic as the last in the series, Grant and Brenna don’t waste any time getting physical. Although their relationship is fake to start off with, the sex is very, VERY real. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again: I love the way that Clare is able to keep the romance moving forward in a positive direction, all while making sure that the sex scenes are off the charts.

The one area that disappointed me a little was the big argument that broke Grant and Brenna’s relationship toward the end. Maybe I just didn’t relate to the things that Brenna had to go through as a child, and therefore found it a little silly as such a large conflict motivator. I’m sure that other readers will really enjoy the twist that is added in, but for some reason I just didn’t think it would have had such a huge emotional impact on Brenna this far into the future. But maybe that’s just me…

The introduction of the next hero and heroine was awesome though. I was wondering who we would get to see next in Bluebonnet, and I have to say that I am super excited to figure out why Rome is so secretive, and what kind of sexy exploits the virgin Elise can get into. I like staying with the survival group, especially since I’ve enjoyed their stories more than the other Bluebonnet characters, but I hope we aren’t running out of characters. One of the things I think Clare does well is bringing in fresh and exciting secondary characters, so I hope that we get to see more people in and around the camp.

All in all I thought this book was super fun and sexy. Although Brenna and Grant didn’t have a “kink” like the last book, they were still finding lots of reasons for naked time, and who doesn’t love that? I thought their romance was so fun, especially as they played tricks on each other and worked through their frenemy status.
I give The Expert’s Guide to Driving a Man Wild a B-

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About MinnChica

MinnChica can usually be found with her nose in a book (or nook), and can ALWAYS find a few minutes to read: stuck at a red light, sitting in the doctors office, on her lunch break. She's so addicted to reading that her family frequently threatens to host an intervention. Currently MinnChica is devouring every romance book she can get her hands on, especially ones that feature 'friends to lovers' stories. Some of her favorite authors currently are Ilona Andrews, Jill Myles, Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh and Susan Mallery.

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